Smotrich’s Attack on Saudi Arabia and Rejection of Normalization in Exchange for a Palestinian State.

The Minister of Finance in the far-right Israeli government, “Bezalel Smotrich,” made scathing statements today, Thursday, against the idea of establishing normal relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in exchange for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

During a conference organized by the right-wing newspaper “Makor Rishon,” “Smotrich” denounced the idea, saying: “Normalization with Saudi Arabia in exchange for a Palestinian state? To that, I say: No, thank you. Let them continue riding camels in the desert. As long as I am in the government, Israeli sovereignty will be imposed on the areas of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) before the end of the current term.”

He continued: “American recognition is not a condition for applying sovereignty, as we are not a state subordinate to the United States, but rather we are united by common values and interests only.”

Regarding the future of the Gaza Strip after the end of the ongoing war, “Smotrich” clarified that “there will be no Turkish or Egyptian forces in Gaza, and the biggest danger is that the Palestinian Authority will take over the rule there, as this will be like replacing a cow with a donkey. A new entity must be found that is neither the Authority nor Hamas.”

Regarding the fate of the bodies of the detainees held by Hamas, the Israeli minister stated: “We knew from the beginning that Hamas would not return all the hostages and the dead, and as many as possible of them must be recovered to be buried in Israel, but the main goal remains dismantling Hamas in Gaza, which is a huge challenge.”

These statements come one day after the Knesset approved in a preliminary reading a bill submitted by MK “Avi Maoz,” which aims to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, where it was approved by 25 MKs versus 24 others. Another bill submitted by “Avigdor Lieberman” was also passed, stipulating the application of sovereignty over the settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, by a majority of 32 votes to 9.

The law was supported by MKs from the Religious Zionism and Jewish Power parties, in addition to MK “Yuli Edelstein” from the Likud party, despite the opposition of Israeli Prime Minister “Benjamin Netanyahu,” who demanded postponing the discussion of this issue during the visit of US Vice President “JD Vance” to Israel.

“Edelstein” justified his position, saying: “Now specifically, Israeli sovereignty over all parts of our homeland is the need of the hour. I have struggled all my life for the Land of Israel, and I call on all Zionist blocs to support this law.”

In contrast, the Likud party issued a statement considering that “the proposal is just a provocation from the opposition, aimed at harming Israel’s relations with the United States and the achievements made by the government in the war.”

In a quick and unexpected political reaction to “Smotrich’s” statements, opposition leader “Yair Lapid” tweeted in Arabic, addressing Saudi Arabia, saying: “To our friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East, Smotrich does not represent the State of Israel.”

“Lapid” also called on the Israeli minister, in a second tweet also in Arabic, to apologize, saying: “Instead of seeking to promote agreements that would change the face of the Middle East, members of this government express themselves with hurtful statements. Change is not led like this. Smotrich must apologize.”